Based on the spoilers, I was expecting a slow moving episode about Chloe and Tess trapped in Watchtower, trying to escape for an hour, blahblahblah, then Clark rescues them. The End. Wrong! Justin writes Smallville like I use to play Barbies as a kid: okay, now they're all at the manor, now they're all at the hospital. Watchtower blows up. Waller, Eyepatch. Kandorians in hoods. Checkmate blows up! Living parasites! Zod loves Faora! Ooh, she's having a baby. He killed her! Wait, why does Faora's sister no longer lust after Clark? The Kryptonian who never gets speeches got a speech! NOT OLIVER'S PECS....NOOOOO!

Some of Justin's special script touches:

- So Chloe and Tess get locked in together and it's HOT so they have to unbutton a bit, right? And sexily press water bottles to their foreheads. And Tess has a electronic parasite from Checkmate implanted in her so of course, Chloe has to undress her even more to get that nasty parasite out! All the while, staring at each other and hissing "bitch!"

- In the middle of this crisis, the ladies take a moment to sit and talk about Oliver, with Tess suddenly jealous of Chloe's relationship with Oliver and Chloe very contemplative of her relationship with Oliver. To sum up: Oliver is awesome! (I am guessing this was one of the scenes Justin wrote.) If only Lois was in this episode, she could have weighed in with her Oliver-love & regret too.

Per usual, Clark didn't have as much screentime as I would like but some of his moments made me laugh very hard.

Faora: *explains how Zod has given her something while staring at her stomach and significantly placing a hand on her stomach*Clark: *puzzled**close-up of hand on stomach*Clark uses super-hearing. "Oh, you're having a baby!" This still makes him WAY smarter than Zod who despite all the stomach patting, only deduces the baby, after he's killed Faora. D'oh.

My other favourite scene. Ollie tells Clark there's a-doings at the manner.Clark: "Zod!"Oliver calls back to say Zod is under control. *Sounds of Oliver getting pummelled*Clark: "Zod!"Clark arrives at the manor to find Oliver with a "Z" carved on his chest. Wait for it..Clark: "Zod!"

Also loved the moment where Clark watches Chloe and Oliver from the hospital hallway (how many times have we seen that set-up on SV?) When Chloe comes out, Clark awkwardly tries to give her a cup of coffee and it is a perfect and sweet moment of physical acting from Tom, my favourite bit of the episode.

The Clark/Oliver scene was good. Nice to see Clark take charge and tell Oliver to behave himself - firm, sexy Clark! Makes a nice change from Ollie giving the lectures.

Love how every time the "Book of Rao" is mentioned, there's a noise on the soundtrack like a drum kit falling over.

Callum B is still murdering some of his dialogue. Did he really tell Oliver "your commitment is adorable!" (Really, Justin!)

Anyway, I laughed, I went "WHAAA?", I certainly wasn't bored (but I'll be pissed if Clark gets blamed for everything next week.)

You can play Barbies with me anytime, Justin!

Now, Tom need to write an episode where everyone spends an hour apologizing to Clark!

And Tess has a electronic parasite from Checkmate implanted in herI was just agog to find out that Tess had another electronic, spying doodad inside her. It's a wonder she doesn't set off metal detectors at the airport.

And I wanted to remind Oliver that family doesn't shoot family with Kryptonite arrows.

Love the review! Yes, the episode was far from dull - Justin basically just started a world war here. I would have welcomed a touch of humour somewhere to break up the angst but this wasn't the episode for it I guess. I felt really sad at Faora's demise.

Based on the spoilers, I was expecting a slow moving episode about Chloe and Tess trapped in Watchtower, trying to escape for an hour, blahblahblah, then Clark rescues them. The End.I wonder how much was from Justin and how much was added later by the writers. For instance the pregnancy and fortress stuff seems more series arc than stand alone and the actors often aren't privy to that beforehand.

To sum up: Oliver is awesome! (I am guessing this was one of the scenes Justin wrote.)But also... Chloe is awesome too. Oliver won't leaver her because she gives Oliver purpose. Unlike Tess or Lois apparently.

Love the observations of Justin's special touches.

And Clark's continual observation of Zod. Zod. Zod. Too funny!

So....did Chloe learn anything? Or was BP just talking about his ass again?Offsite backups are a girls best friend?Don't create a security system you can't get out of yourself?

Maybe Chloe will learn you shouldn't bring your mortal enemy back to life? Doing that with Zod certainly came back to bite Clark. Will it turn out bad for Chloe? I'm not holding my breath.

I wonder how much was from Justin and how much was added later by the writers. For instance the pregnancy and fortress stuff seems more series arc than stand alone and the actors often aren't privy to that beforehand.This episode was so "busy", it felt like a couple of episodes mashed together. Maybe Justin wrote the Watchtower plot & his scenes & the Zod plotline was from BQM?